Abstract
Objectives: To compare the variations in intensive care (ICU) outcome in relation to variations in resources utilization and costs between a developed and a developing country with different medical and economical conditions. Design and setting: Prospective comparison between a 26-bed French ICU and an 8-bed Tunisian ICU, both in university hospitals. Patients: Four hundred thirty and 534 consecutive admissions, respectively, in the French and Tunisian ICUs. Measurements: We prospectively recorded demographic, physiologic, and treatment information for all patients, and collected data on the two ICU structures and facilities. Costs and ICU outcome were compared in the overall population, in three groups of severity indexes and among selected diagnostic groups. Results: Tunisian patients were significantly younger, were in better health previously and were less severely ill at ICU admission (p < 0.01). French patients had a lower overall mortality rate (17.2 vs 22.5 %; p < 0.01) and received more treatment (p < 0.01). In the low severity range, the outcome and costs were similar in the two countries. In the highest severity range, Tunisian and French patients had similar mortality rates, while the former received less therapy throughout their ICU stays (p < 0.05). Conversely, in the mid-range of severity, mortality was higher among Tunisian patients, and a difference in management was identified in COPD patients. Conclusion: Although the Tunisian ICU might appear more cost-effective than the French one in the highest severity group of patients, most of this difference appeared in relation to shorter lengths of ICU stay, and a poorer efficiency and cost-effectiveness was suggested in the mid-range severity group. Differences in economical constraints may partly explain differences in ICU performances. These results indicate where resource allocation could be directed to improve the efficiency of ICU care.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 15 December 1997 Accepted: 8 July 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nouira, S., Roupie, E., Atrouss, S. et al. Intensive care use in a developing country: a comparison between a Tunisian and a French unit. Intensive Care Med 24, 1144–1151 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001340050737
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001340050737